Somerset secured their place in the T20 Blast Finals Day for the fourth consecutive year with a 17-run victory over Northamptonshire in a thrilling quarter-final clash at Wantage Road.
Tom Banton was the standout performer, smashing 75 off 43 balls to guide Somerset to an imposing total of 215-3, despite being put in to bat on a chilly, damp evening. His innings was complemented by Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who contributed a vital 63 from 43 balls after being dropped early—a costly mistake among several fielding errors by Northamptonshire.
Northants captain David Willey gave his side hope with a solid 57 off 39 deliveries during the chase. However, needing 57 runs from the last 20 balls, Willey mistimed a shot to deep cover, leaving his team short at 198-5 by the end of their 20 overs.
Somerset now has the chance to become the first team to defend the T20 title, continuing their dominance in the competition.
Batting first, Somerset faced early challenges, losing Will Smeed for six in just the second over as Willey found movement off the damp pitch. However, Banton soon found his rhythm, launching Jack White for a six to help Somerset finish the powerplay at 49-1.
Banton continued his assault, smashing consecutive sixes off Freddie Heldreich’s bowling and reaching his half-century in just 31 balls—his fourth of the tournament. He went on to add two more sixes before being dismissed by Saif Zaib after a 125-run partnership off 75 balls.
Kohler-Cadmore, who was dropped on seven by Gus Miller at long-off, capitalised on the mistake, hitting four sixes to bring up his fifty in 38 balls. He was eventually dismissed by Ben Sanderson, but Sean Dickson’s quickfire 33 from 17 deliveries lifted Somerset to their second-highest total of the season.
In response, Ricardo Vasconcelos gave Northamptonshire a solid start, taking 18 runs from the final powerplay over to bring his side to 52-1 after six overs. Willey followed suit with two massive sixes, but Vasconcelos fell for 30 off 24 balls, scooping Lewis Gregory to long leg. Justin Broad added 29 from 17 before giving Gregory a simple return catch, leaving Northants at 114-3 in the 13th over.
With 79 runs required from the last five overs, Zaib kept the home team’s hopes alive with two powerful sixes, but he was soon caught out for 32 off 16 balls. Willey reached his half-century in 35 balls but struggled to maintain the momentum as Somerset’s bowlers tightened their grip. Willey’s dismissal by Jake Ball sealed Northamptonshire’s fate, and their chase fizzled out in the closing overs.
Somerset’s dominant performance ensures their spot in the finals, where they will aim to defend their title.